Football reporter

Striker Mathew Leckie has started in both of Australia’s matches in this tournament and with Tim Cahill sidelined from Monday’s match against Spain in Curitiba through suspension, the 23-year old may arguably end up being the Socceroos’ most consistent player in Brazil.

Socceroos striker Mathew Leckie admits he has even surprised himself with how well he has performed at the World Cup, having originally been no certainty to make the squad.

Leckie has started in both of Australia’s matches in this tournament and with Tim Cahill sidelined from Monday’s match against Spain in Curitiba through suspension, the 23-year old may arguably end up being the Socceroos’ most consistent player in Brazil.

It’s been a rapid rise considering he nearly fell off the radar for much of Holger Osieck’s reign, with his international presence only revived by the faith of coach Ange Postecoglou.

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Leckie admitted it was “a little bit” of a shock that recent events had unfolded so much in his favour.

“I’ve only been on the scene now for probably six months and before that I was really in and out, so for me it’s been important for me to give it my best for the national team,” he said.

"I think the whole team, as individuals, we surprised ourselves a little bit. I definitely didn’t think we’d compete this well with the teams we’ve played.

“I think the way I’ve played comes from having a lot of confidence going into the World Cup. I’ve had a great season at my club and Ange had confidence in me as well. I think after that first 15 minutes in the Chile game, we all settled in really well."

The right-winger believes the only missing link in this tournament has been the side’s inability to find the finish line against Chile and The Netherlands.

“The way we’ve played in the past two games, and in the Croatia game, I think nobody expected it,” he said.

"I think the whole world expected us to come here and put 10 men behind the ball and hope to get results.

“We’ve not got the results but the way we’ve played and the way we’ve gone about it is very exciting for the country. If we can master the results side, it means good things for Australia.”

Cahill’s absence in the final game could see a change in position for Leckie, with Postecoglou needing to fill the vacant striker’s role.

While Adam Taggart is a more natural for the position, the manager has tried Leckie as a centre-forward in friendly matches and could deploy him there again.

"I’m not sure, we haven’t discussed that at all. The staff, the coaches have probably talked about it among themselves but nobody knows just yet,” he said.

“Obviously I’ve had some success on the wing there, so if Ange wants me to come inside, I’d be happy for both.

“I can also play as a striker, and try to get chances on goal, as Timmy has, and he’s been very clinical at putting those chances away.”

If there’s been one negative, of sorts, arising for Leckie from his success in Brazil, it’s that he just signed a deal to join FC Ingolstadt.

Without disrespecting the stature of the German second division club, had Leckie waited to sort out his future, he would have had clubs from around the world chasing his signature.

Some reports suggest he would now be the most valuable Socceroo on the open market – potentially attracting a transfer fee of around $10 million.

“Obviously I didn’t know what was going to come at this World Cup, so I made the decision myself to move to my new club and it was an important step forward,” he said.

“Everything happens for a reason, so whether there might have been other offers after this World Cup if I hadn’t signed, I never would have known that before.

“I’m still excited for what’s happening ahead with Ingolstadt. They’re ambitious and hoping to go up to the Bundesliga.”